0p0 Third Reich Episode 421
Third Reich Episode 421
It is so small that in the ice and snow, the soldiers are equipped with boots of a larger size, and then a layer of cloth is placed inside. If it is not possible, a thick layer of newspaper is placed on the shoes to reduce the degree of freezing of the feet and prevent frostbite.
And in the design of winter clothes, the German observation team also learned from the Finnish Army that in the ice and snow, the clothes that soldiers need should be protective belts, ear protectors, vests, blankets, and gloves with movable thumb and index finger. Complete clothing.If winter clothing is not in place, it is difficult for soldiers to fight in such extremely cold conditions.
Various small experiences in these details will provide great help for the German army to go deep into the Soviet Union in the future.
Compared with the Finns' combat experience in the ice and snow, Reinhardt values the strong fighting will and combat effectiveness of the Finnish army more.
Fortunately, Germany hopes to win over Finland to participate in the war, and Finland also hopes to find such a powerful possession as Germany. The cooperation between the two parties is almost a tailor-made mutually beneficial cooperation.
Initially, after the Soviet-Finnish War, the Finnish government deeply realized that it could not remain isolated and had to win over allies.
The Finnish government had intended to negotiate a defensive alliance with Norway and Sweden.But this intention immediately aroused the suspicion of the Soviet Union, and was then stopped by the Soviet Union's tyrannical demands.
But at the same time, since the end of the Soviet-Finnish War, the Finnish government has been raising funds and foreign aid non-stop to strengthen its own military construction.
After witnessing that Germany helped Norway, also a Nordic country, to defeat the British invaders, a new and bright prospect has opened to Finland: since Germany can become an ally to help Norway resist Britain, it will also become the next time Finland Comrades in the war against the USSR.
Just when the Finns' indignation and disappointment with Sweden, the number one power in the Nordic countries that had given high hopes, was regarded as the closest ally by the Nordic countries, but it had never done anything, reached its peak.Many Finnish politicians have turned to believe that Germany is Finland's best partner in recovering lost territory in the future.
The Finnish foreign minister then tried his best to improve relations with Germany, and he also won huge public opinion support in Finland in doing so beyond expectations.
After Germany's victory on the Western Front, as the great British Empire could not keep its capital in front of the German army, public opinion in Finland almost overwhelmingly claimed that only Germany would become Finland's reliable comrade-in-arms, and Finland's great action to regain lost ground must also be Get help from Germany to succeed!
Therefore, the first time Ribbentrop brought the German delegation to the Finnish capital, Marshal Mannerheim, the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defense Forces, went to the airport to greet him in person.
Together with Mannerheim, Silasva, Finland's top general under Mannerheim's command, and more than a dozen other senior generals who participated in the Soviet-Finnish War also came to greet him.
This life, as well as the German ally, joined the Allied Powers Group, and the Finnish government, which was ready to fight side by side with the German army, accepted Ribbentrop's request more simply than in the original history.
"Mr. Marshal, I have good news for you!"
After getting off the plane, Ribbentrop couldn't wait to speak before shaking hands with Mannerheim.
What this good news is is no secret.
Just like when it invaded Finland, this time, the Soviet Union set the goal of the invasion on Germany.
Although it is not another invasion of Finland, it also makes the Finnish government equally nervous.
Invade Finland, Romania, the three Baltic states, and even today's Third Reich of Germany!
The appetite of the Soviets is getting bigger and bigger, and they are becoming more and more unscrupulous when they invade other countries.
The Finns know very well that when Germany is occupied by the Soviet Union and Finland is surrounded by the Soviet Union, it will usher in the next Soviet invasion.
You can't just sit back and wait for death!
"Mr. Ribbentrop, just right, I also have some good news for you." Mannerheim smiled and shook hands with Ribbentrop.
"So, which one of us will talk first?" Although he is 74 years old, Mannerheim joked very wittily.
"Let's go first." Ribbentrop also saw that Mannerheim was joking, so he answered, "After all, I came with a mission, and the head of state is urging me to tell our Finnish allies our wishes."
With that said, Ribbentrop and Mannerheim loosened their grip on each other, then Ribbentrop turned around and took the document from a secretary and handed it to Marshal Mannerheim: "This is The counterattack plan we have formulated on the northern line will be carried out simultaneously with our counterattack operations in the central region and the south."
Silasworth, who came with Mannerheim, took a step up, took the document for Mannerheim, and handed it to Mannerheim to open and watch.
While Mannerheim watched, Ribbentrop also briefly introduced from the diplomatic aspect: "Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Norway, Spain, and our German army all agree with this counterattack plan and are willing to Take action. As for the French government, because of the military operations in Africa and Western Europe, it has already taken too much pressure, so it will not participate in the first phase of the counterattack for the time being..."
Although Bulgaria has not made it clear that it will send troops, Ribbentrop here, in order to exaggerate the effect, also counts this little ally in advance and tells the Finnish marshal.It is good to encourage the Finnish army to also participate in the large-scale battles of the Allies and become a member of many participating countries.
"This is a good opportunity for Finland to regain lost ground." Ribbentrop smiled at Mannerheim with a congratulatory expression: "Our German army, as well as the Norwegian army, will fight against the Finnish army. , launch an attack from the north, regain the lost land occupied by the Soviet Union, and then let the Soviet Union spit out more land and return it to Finland!"
What Ribbentrop wanted to express was very clear: this is an opportunity for Finland to find the Soviet Union to escape back to the lost ground with profit, and there are also German and Norwegian allied forces fighting side by side!
Text Chapter 635 Retaliation
"I also have good news for you here." Mannerheim also smiled after Ribbentrop released his perfect intention.
As he spoke, Mannerheim waved his hand, motioning for Silasworth to speak for himself.
After all, as the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defense Forces, Mannerheim is not very convenient for him.
"Dear German Foreign Minister, Mr. Ribbentrop, our government is also preparing to regain the land lost in the Winter War, and strive to further extend to Karelia to create a large Finnish state." Silas Vokou Unobstructed, he took a step forward and announced.
"Is this what your government means?" Although Ribbentrop had gotten the wind in advance, when he heard the Finn's announcement with his own ears, he couldn't help being shocked.
If Finland itself has the willingness to fight the Soviet Union, it would be great news for Germany.
"This is the meaning of the government. Our Finnish President Risto Lüti has secretly informed me of this decision." Mannerheim nodded and confirmed for Ribbentrop himself.
Although it is inconvenient for him to announce the decisions of domestic politicians as the commander-in-chief of the military.But this does not prevent him from further confirming after Silaswo made the announcement on his behalf.
"After the Soviet army started war against you, Germany, we formulated a strategic direction to counterattack with you in the future." Mannerheim made a gesture of invitation to Ribbentrop, indicating to leave the airport and go to meet him in a convoy President, we will discuss related issues further later.
"From our strategic goal, we also hope to capture part of the Soviet Union's land and shorten the border between Finland and the Soviet Union as much as possible, so as to reduce the possibility of the Soviet army's future aggression against us. There is a popular slogan in our country - shortened Borders, long-term peace. Therefore, after our Finnish army participated in the war, we not only regained our lost ground, but also continued to shorten the length of the border. Northern Estonia."
This is a completely acceptable choice from the perspective of Finland's own interests.
In this way, the Finnish army will not only regain its homeland with the help of the military allies of the Allied Powers, but also continue to attack for the allies in the name of further ensuring their own security until they conquer the Kola Peninsula and East Karelia. , and even northern Estonia.
In this way, the Finnish Army also fulfilled its responsibilities as a member of the Allied Powers camp.
In terms of Finland's national strength, they can't take on too many tasks. The above-mentioned capture range already requires a lot of Finnish troops.
When the attack reaches northern Estonia, the Finnish army is estimated to be at the end of its strength and does not have the strength to continue fighting, so it simply stops here.
Ribbentrop was very satisfied with this promise made by Mannerheim.From this point of view, he has basically completed 90.00% of the tasks of his trip to Finland.
All that remains to be done is to go to the President of Finland to confirm, sign a secret agreement, express friendship, and promise that the allies will send allies to fight with the Finnish army in Mannerheim.
He was quite satisfied with Mannerheim's invitation, and together with an interpreter sent by Finland and Mannerheim, he got into the front car in the convoy.
In the car, through an interpreter, Ribbentrop assured Mannerheim from the aspect of diplomacy he was good at: "I will arrange a meeting later and let the League of Nations divide Eastern Karelia to Finland. Prepare a reason and excuse for sending troops."
This is Ribbentrop's specialty.Although he didn't know much about the military, when Mannerheim mentioned East Karelia, he immediately thought of the political articles that could be made on it.
Although Eastern Karelia has never been the territory of Finland, most of the residents belong to the Finnish nationality. Finland has appealed to the League of Nations under the control of Britain and France several times for territorial claims on Eastern Karelia, but they have not received support.
Today, the League of Nations has become an organization controlled by Germany and Italy, and Italy is secretly controlled by Germany because of Rossi, so German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop can actually be equivalent to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, The decision of the German Foreign Office is equivalent to the decision of the League of Nations.
This is why Ribbentrop was able to make a commitment to Finland directly on behalf of the League of Nations.
"Thank you."
After half a day, Mannerheim replied.
He was excited and delighted because this was exactly what he needed!